My Personal High Cholesterol Story
The Doctor Says...
High Cholesterol Diagnosis
After my wellness exam, I was sent to get lab work done and I didn't like the results that were explained to me afterwards.
I was diagnosed with high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes, all in the same sentence! The doctor said, "I"ll send some prescriptions to your druggist." My goodness, I was almost in a state of shock! How could this happen? Thinking to myself, a video began to play about the burgers, fries, hot dogs, doughnuts, cake and cookies that I'd been eating. Not to mention starchy foods and breads. I had to figure out what to do with this new discovery.
I was thinking, blood tests don't lie, what do I need to do? I could just take the prescribed drugs and do nothing but that's just not me, I'm not going out like that! Right then, I was doing a lot of thinking about the best course of action. Then a light bulb went off in my head, I needed to educate myself, I knew nothing about this stuff, why it happened and what could I do to work on eliminating this problem. This was one discovery that had to go!
Foods That Raise Cholesterol Levels
What Is High Cholesterol?
The way I understood the definition of cholesterol, it's a fat that's already in the body when we're born. So, my life style controls the levels of the cholesterol in my body. Meaning my diet, weight, not enough physical activity and of course my gender are all key players in high cholesterol, even genetics.
There are two types of cholesterol, LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein, bad) and HDL (High Density Lipoprotein, good). Lower the bad and raise the good and then I'll be straight to go!
Understanding Cholesterol
What Causes High Cholesterol
Being born with cholesterol already in my body, my liver makes all I need for my body. So, when I eat foods that are high in saturated fats and trans fats, my liver produces more cholesterol. When this process occurs, my body has more than it needs. This excess cholesterol causes plaque to form inside the walls of my arteries making my blood flow limited.
Well doc, "what is plaque I asked?" I didn't want to sound like a dummy but I didn't know. In laymen terms he tried to explain it to me. I understood what he said to mean that plaque forms these little balls that can't be seen with the naked eye but if they burst, they make blood clots! Say one of those clots blocked an artery that is suppose to send blood to the brain, a stroke would occur or if a clot blocks an artery that sends blood to the heart, then a heart attack will happen!
Plaque In The Arteries
What Is Plaque?
Plaque is a combination of cholesterol, calcium and some other stuff that builds up in the arteries over a period of time, therefore forming plaque. Tthis build up can narrow the arteries limiting the blood flow, causing Atherosclerosis. Sometimes called hardening of the arteries.
Medicines That Reduce High Cholesterol
Studies have shown that whey protein given as a supplement lowers both LDL and total cholesterol but If you want to learn more about cholesterol lowering drugs, visit https://www.drugs.com/condition/hyperlipidemia.html
The Latest FDA Approvals for High Cholesterol Drugs and must be prescribed by a doctor:
Your total cholesterol should be below 200 mg/dL. Keep your LDL (”bad”) cholesterol well under 160 mg/dL if you are at low risk for a heart attack, below 130 mg/dL if you are at moderate risk for a heart attack, and less than 100 mg/dL if you are at high risk for a heart attack (and ideally lower than 70 mg/dL if you’re at very high risk, for example, because of a recent heart attack or stroke). Your HDL (”good”) cholesterol should be 40 mg/dL or greater if you are a man and 50 mg/dL or more if you are a woman (and preferably 60 mg/dL or higher). Your triglyceride level should be under 150 mg/dL.
Source for total cholesterol numbers, visit: www.knowabouthealth.com
How Will You Lower Your Cholesterol?
To Further Educate Yourself On High Cholesterol
- Cholesterol
The American Heart Association explains how cholesterol affect the heart. Learn about prevention of high cholesterol and treatment of high cholesterol, healthy cholesterol levels, ldl, hdl, athersclerosis, arteriosclerosis, hyper
Dr. Josh Axe
This page is not intended to diagnose or treat. You'll need to see your doctor for treatment and diagnosis.
Related
Your Thoughts On The Matter
Thanks for this informative article. You aren't the only one needing the explanations you share. Very thoughtful and helpful! Best to you in your efforts to maintain healthy cholesterol levels.
- Author
Thank you MsDora, I wrote this in hopes to inform others that there are other alternatives rather than medicines.
That's a double whammy with two diagnoses like that in one day. My uncle was able to control his diabetes and go off medicine completely with diet and exercise alone, even after years of having diabetes (under a doctor's care and advice). I've given up red meat to help the cholesterol issue and have reduced other types of meat too. Best of luck to you in your quest for better health!
- Author
FlourishAnyway, it was a double whammy! My head was spinning when I left out of there but I'm well on my way now. Thank you and stay focused on better health!
Very informative hub about Cholesterol! You have provided all the required information to help maintain cholesterol levels and in such an effective way . I am sure this article will be helpful to many.
Thanks for sharing!
- Author
Thank you, I know there are many who suffer with high cholesterol and are unaware that it can be reversed with a planned diet and exercise. I did use the first 30 days of the prescription to get my eating habits under control and to start exercising. This strategy worked well for me, I had to get use to it and my numbers are normal! May you be blessed and thanks for visiting.
Thank you for sharing a very educational article. Yes, eating a lot of fruit and vegetables and less or hardly any fried foods and baked goods will lower your cholesterol. I aso take two fish oil tablets every day which helps.
- Author
I'm with you on that Paul. I changed my eating habits and I also take fish oil tablets twice daily. Now I bake foods instead of frying. Oat meal is the first food that goes in my mouth in the morning, I have it every day! Be blessed and thank you for stopping by.
8